“Anthony Bott, one of the founders of Colorado City, quarried Dakota Sandstone from the east face of the hogback (highest ridge) in the 1870s and 1880s. These
were simple but significant operations for supplying community needs. Vertical slabs of stone were cleaved along bedding planes with a pry bar and loaded into
wagons.”
These are the opening words on a sign about mining history that is part of the interpretive signage the city plans to unveil at a dedication of the recently completed
pavilion at Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
Described as “simple but appropriate” by Kim King of City Parks, the event Saturday, June 13 at 10 a.m. will feature comments by dignitaries and a chance for
people to check out the open-air facility that was created over the winter where the Bock family house had been.
Some, not all, of Red Rock's signage is expected to be ready for the dedication, King said. Other topics will include animal life and the contributions by the Bock
family.
The pavilion is a few hundred feet up the Red Rock Canyon Trail from the nearest Red Rock parking lot off Highway 24 and Ridge Road. The facility consists of
about 600 square feet of covered area and 1,500 square feet uncovered. The project was funded with $259,000 from Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) funds,
plus $100,000 through the Friends of Red Rock Canyon.
Scheduled speakers include City Council member Jerry Heimlicher, City Parks Director Paul Butcher and Bob Hostetler of the Friends group, whose $50,000
challenge grant was matched by $50,000 that Friends members raised from grants and community donations.